Machine for sterilizing organic materials.



W. B. FENN. MACHINE FOR STERILIZING ORGANIC MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZ. l9|2 v 1,159,659. Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

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W. B. FENN. MACHINE FOR STERILIZING ORGANIC MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZ, I9I2.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

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MACHINE FOR STERILIZING ORGANIC MATERIALS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 2 I9IZ.

1,159,659. Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

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APPLICATION LED MAY 2, 1912. 1,159,659. Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

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W. B. FENN. MACHINE FOR STERILIZING ORGANIC MATERIALS.

APPUCATJON FILED MAY 2, 1912. 1,159,659. Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

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WILLIAM B. FENN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO TIIE WEDOIT' COMPANY, 0FCOLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

Application led May 2, 1912. Serial No. 694,716.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. FENN, a citizen of the United States,iesiding at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Machines forSterilizing Organic Materials, of which the following is aspecification.

The object generally of this invention is an improved machine andprocess for the rapid sterilization of organic materials such forexample as meats, fruits and vegetables for domestic consumption such asare put up in tinned cans.

In the course of my experiments I have discovered that where the mattersto be sterilized are put up in such cans it is especially important thatthe sterilizing treatment should be thorough and to carefully includesuch material as is lodged near the corners of the can.

It is therefore one of the important features of my present invention toprovide means for insuring the sterilization of the material in suchcorners.

A second important feature of the invention is the provision of meanswhereby the injected steam or treating agent can be reused, that isafter having served in one receiver it is passed to another receiverwhere it may be supplemented with a fresh injection or injections withthe eifect that where .a series or plurality of such receivers isemployed, the heat is conserved and augmented in each receiver as itadvances or the injections into itare multiplied and further that theflavors of the material are conserved.

A third important feature of the invention resides in various details ofconstruction of the machine whereby its operation is rendered edective.

The invention is embodied in the construction and the process carriedout by the construction herein shown and set forth, it being endeavoredto point out the features of novelty in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, Figure 1 is mainly acentral vertical section with parts in full lines of a machine embodyingmy invention. Fig. 2 is a double vertical section on a larger scale ofthe receiver and its appurtenances. The sections of this view are takenninety degrees apart, one vertical half being taken on one plane and theother half on a plane at right angles thereto or as illustrated by theline Fig. 4 for the purpose of illustrating the relations of thechambers and passages to each other. Fig. 3 is a detail to show a devicefor urgingthe exhaust valve off its seat. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectionon the line y-y Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing threereceivers, with parts omitted, arranged in a plane. Fig. 6 is adiagrammatic development in a plane of the outer side of the centralvalve or plug member. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the upper end of thecentral valve or plug member. Figs. 8 and 9 are several verticalsections in different planes of the said valve member. Fig. 10 is avertical section of the valve casing. Fig. 11 is a horizontal section onthe line a-z Fig. 1.

In the views 20 designates the receiver which in the instance shown,consists of` a vertically arranged shell having a cylindrical chamberthat is open at its lower end and closed at its upper end by a cap 20asuitably secured to the chamber. Arranged to fit and move vertically inthe receiver is a treating head, the main frame or body of which iscomprised of two parts, to wit: an upper part 21 and a lower part 22that is tightly screwed at 22b or otherwise secured to the lower end ofthe part 21. The upper portion of the upper part 21 is provided on itsexterior with suitable annular packings 21a and the lower portion of theupper part is extensively annularly recessed at 21b to form an annularsteam receiving chamber. The cap 20a also has connected with it a pipe46 to lconduct pressure into the chamber 46a above the head portion 21.The pipe 46 contains a check valve 46" provided with a small opening 46cand said valve is arranged to permit a free intake and a slow exhaust,the latter to prevent violent action of the treating head uponexhaustion. The lower portion of the part 22 is of hollow cylindricalform and is provided with suitable annular packings 22". The lowerportion of the upper part 21 has a necked. central outlet 21'3 to whichis connected the tube of a treating nozzle 23 by means of a threadedunion 24. The annular steam receiving chamber 21b communicates with vthenozzle 23 b means of one or more ducts like that shown at 21d and thechamber within the head part 22 communicates with an axial passage 2lBin the head part 2l by means of one or more ports like that Shown at21g.

Telescopically connected with the head part 22 is another cylindricalparty 25 that is provided with an annular row of perforations 25a, saidperforations being closed when said part 25 is shoved up in the part 22and opened when said part has dropped down and protrudes somewhat belowthe lower end of the part 22 as hereinafter set forth. The part 25 iskept from dropping entirely out of the part 22 by means of ring 26,angular iii-cross section, threaded onto the lower end of the head part22, the part 25 being provided at its upper end with lugs 25b thatproject into and travel in verwardly flared slrt 29 Yis to center theportable can or vessel marked 30 for containing the material to betreated., The lower end of the treating nozzle 23 is internally beveled,and in the lower end of said nozzle is secured a distributing devicecooperating with the beveled lower end of the nozzle.

`Said distributing device has a head 31 with conical sides and a shankthat is secured within the nozzle so that an outwardly ilaring openingis formed for the exit of steam into the lower end of the can. The head31 also has a central opening in its lower end connected by small.radial ducts opening at the conical sides of the head. When therefore,steam under pressure is admitted to the nozzle it issues therefrom atthe lower end in a conical sheet that tends to spread over the bottom ofthe can and toward and into the lower corners thereof. Steam also passesinto the lateral ducts of the distributing head and is emitted throughthe Central duct in the lower end thereof at and over the middle of thebottom of the can. Toward its upper portion the nozzle or tube 23 hassecured to it a button or annular projection 32 having a horizontaldiameter nearly equaling that of the opening of the ring 28. This buttonor projection 32 is tapered on its upper and lower sides toward its rimand it is provided with numerous vertical perforations -32a, and alsowith radial horizontal perforations 32b that are communicatinglyconnected with the interior of the nozzle by corresponding perforationsin the latter. The button 32 constitutes a strainer to prevent coarseparticles from being driven up into the chamber above the ring 28 whereit might choke the treating head. Some of the steam under pressure sentto the nozzle therefore discharges through the radial ducts 32h, andsaid button member 32 is located on the nozzle so that the dischargeends of said radial ducts are slightly below the opening at the top ofthe can. Therefore when stealu under pressure is emitted through saidradial ducts it is projected toward the upper corners of the can .andtends to Search the material lodged at those corners. Such of the steamas is projected through the lower end of the nozzle and is not condensedas well as any excess of such steam as is projected through theaforesaid radial ducts, tends to rise out of the can and materialtherein and pass up through the vertical perforations 32' and the ports21f into the central passage of the head part 21.

As before indicated the main frame of the treating head has a slightpiston like movement in the receiver. The purpose of this movement is toinsure a iirm contact of the treating head (or more particularly theinnermost ring of the telescoping member) on the upper end of the can.Suitable fluid pressure is admitted through a pipe 46 to the upper endof the treating head to force said head down on the can but the downwardmovement of the head and its pressure on the vessel can be restrainedand regulated by one or more rods like that indicated at 34 secured tothe head and extending upward through a stuffing box 35 in the cap 20aof the receiver, said bolt being provided at its upper or outer end witha thread on which is an adjustable nut 37. Before undue downwardmovement of the treating head occurs the nut 37 will abut against thesaid stulfing box and therefore prevent further descent of the treatinghead.

Secured centrally in the cap 20%1 by means of nuts 3S and 39 is a tube40 the lower portion of which extends into the central passage of thehead portion 21. Because the head portion 21. works on vthe tube 40 thelower end of said tube is provided externally with annular packings 40a.Threaded into the upper end of the tube 40 is a valve structure forfinally exhausting the treating agent. Said structure includes acylindrical casing 41 tapered at its lower end and extended as a tubularshank 411l by which the connection with the tube 40 is efected as beforestated, and in said casing is a reciprocable valve member of specialconstruction. The upper end of the casing 41 is provided with a cap 43.The valve proper, designated 42, is carried by spider` arms 42a spacedapart and extended from an axially open piston-like part 42h.

The piston-like part 42b works in the cylindrical casing 41 and hassuitable annular packings 42c to prevent leakage of steam between theparts 4l and 42h. The axially open piston-like part 42h has a contractedtubular extension 42d that extends with a steam tight iit through asuitable opening in the cap and discharges into the atmosphere. Betweenthe cap 43 and the end of the piston-like part around the tubular ex-`tension 42d is left a chamber 44 into which fluid pressure is admittedby means of a pipe 45 to depress the piston-like part 42b and seat theyalve 42 on its seat to close the upper end of the tubular shank 4la andprevent the escape of steam from below. But by exhausting the fluidpressure from the chamber 44 through the pipe 45 or otherwise the valveis or can be elevated and the steam in the receiver exhausted toatmosphere through the expanded valve part` 42. 'Io elevate, or aid inelevating, the part 42b and the valve 42 when the chamber 44 has beenrelieved of fluid pressure there are provided several lifter pins 47each extended through the valve casing against the piston-like part 42band actuated by a coil spring 47a seated in aV suitable pocket 48adjustably threaded in a fixed shelf 49 on the side of the tubular shank41a. The enlarged cavity of the piston-like part 42b serves as anexpanding chamber and muffler, retaining much condensate when theexhaust steam expands therein, said condensate being returned to theproduct in the vessel.

The chamber 2lb is supplied with treating steam through a pipe 50; andthe lower end of the receiver in the region where the can is confinedhas connected with it a pipe 51. The pipe 5l is provided With a checkvalve 5lb closing toward the receiver and permitting free exhaust fromthe can chamber. In operation the can chamber externally of the can issupplied with pressure to prevent bursting or straining of the can byleakage of pressure between the ring 28 and the top of the can, and thefunction of the pressure in the pipe 51 against the check valve 51b isto balance or overbalance and retain the pressure in the can chamberduring. the time treating pressure is injected into the contents of thecan. The lower end of the receiver is also provided with a pipe 52containing an ordinary check Valve 53 which closes when pressure isadmitted to the can chamber and opens by gravity when such pressure isrelieved.

55 designates the can support. Said support, in the instance shown, ismounted on the upper end of a piston rod 55a, the piston head beingdesignated 56. The piston head reciprocally fits in a verticallystationary cylinder 57 closed at both ends and arranged axially in llinewith the receiver and below the open end thereof. A fluid pressure pipe58 leads into the upper end of the cylinder 57 to supply pressure tothe' corresponding side of the piston and to move and hold the pistondown, and a similar pipe 59 leads into the lower end of said cylinder 57to supply pressure to the lower side of the piston to move and hold thepiston up; When pressure is admitted to the lower side of the piston thecan support is carried up and closed against the lower end of thereceiver as seen in Fig. 2 and at the right hand side of Fig. l, thesupport being provided with a suitable packing ring 55b to promote steamtightness' at the junction of the two.

The receiver and its appurtenances and the can support and itsappurtenances can be viewed as a unit of sterihzing mechanism and Ipropose to employ a plurality of these units arranged preferably in acircular series around a vertical axis so that vessels containingmaterial to be treated can be placed successively either automaticallyor by hand onto the supports as each passes a given point. In thepresent construction I propose that the material, according to itsparticular requirement, shall receive a series of applications of steamand that the treating steam after use in one receiver shall pass to thesucceeding receiver or receivers and be utilized therein for theaugmentation of heat, the conservation of flavors and other advantagesaccruing therefrom.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a scheme according to which the receiverscan be connected for 'the purpose just stated. According to said schemea pipe 60 having suitable elbows and couplings connects the tubularshank 41a of one receiver apparatus with the chamber 21b of theA nextreceiver such connections to be made in succession around the entireseries. In each of said pipes 60, is an ordinary steam check valve 61,said check valve closing by pressure in the same direction as that inwhich the receiver moves or toward the receiver at the left. Iftherefore a portion of the whole number of receivers receive through thepipe 50 each in succession an injection of steam at a uniform pressure(and assuming the receivers to be moving from right to left) eachreceiver will become gradually warmer and the steam pressure graduallygreater hence in such a series the flow of pressure through the pipes 60would be from left to right. In said Fig. 5 let the arrow below the viewindicate the direction of motion of a series subjected to the steaminjections stated then the How of pres.- sure in the pipes 60 would bein the contrary direction or generally toward the right. In connectionwith this operation it should be borne in mind that the comparativelycold cans with their cold contents are put into the open and cooledreceiver at the right.

The heat of the rst injection of steam is largely absorbed in the workof heating such receiver, the can and contents and the appurtenancesthereabout. The second injection (being assumed to be of the sameinitial pressure and temperature) into the receiver therefore spendsfewer of its units in heating up said parts and contents and thepressure and temperature of the steam are therefore greater in suchreceiver than in one which has received but one injection and so onaround to the last receiver in the series to receive an injection. Theeffect ot such succeeding injection is therefore cumulative. lV hen thetreating units are arranged in a circular series as indicated and torotate about a vertical axis that axis can include suitable valvedevices with pipes or conductors for distributing from a common sourceor from several suitable sources or exhaustings as may be desired thetreating and operating agents and pressures.

In the instance shown the main supporting structure comprises a suitablyconstructed stationary base from which is supported or erected a hollowcolumn or frame 71. Supported on the base is a drum 72 to the exteriorof which the treating members or units are secured. To reduce frictionthe drum can rest and travel on ball bearings 73 located in a suitablerace on the base as indicated at 74. The lower edge of the drum isprovided circumferentially with a crown gear 75 engaged by a pinion 76fixed on one end of a shaft 77 horizontally journaled in suitablestationary bearings at the base of the frame. The shaft 77 can be drivenby suitable power as for example from a power shaft 78 having a bevelgear 7 8a engagin a pinion 79 on the other end of the shaft 7.

The receivers 21 with the parts belonging thereto are supported equallyspaced apart around the upper portion of the drum by suitably bolting,as seen at 72a, each receiver body to the drum. The cylinders containingthe piston for elevating and depressing the vessel support and receivercloser are each secured by suitably bolting it, as seen at 7 2b to thedrum vertically below the receiver with which it coperaties.

The steam or treating and operating agents are supplied and distributedthrough centrally located devices of the nature of a valve. 8Odesignates the casing of such valve. Said casing is a hollow structurewith a downwardly tapering inner face constituting a seat for the valveplug or internal member 81. The valve casing is secured by screws 8Oh toa crown piece 80a placed down over the upper end of the column 71 andsaid valve casing and crown rotate with the vdrum 72. To relieve strainon the pipe connections the crown piece 80a can be connected with thedrum 7 2 by connector pieces7 one of which is shown at 99 bolted orscrewed to each. The wall of said casing 80 is perforated annularlyhorizontally in .four zones to provide suitable ports and saidperforations are threaded at their outer ends to receive the threadedends of the several pipes employed to conduct the treating and operatingluids to or from, as the case may be7 the places where it is to beoperative.

The scheme of piping between the valve casing and the parts' to whichthe pipes lead is best depicted in Figs. 1 and Q and is typical of thatemployed in each corresponding unit of the machine. In said view thepipe 45 designates the uppermost pipe which leads to the chamber 44 inthe valve casing 41; the pipe next below has the three branches 46, 50and 51 leading respectively to the chamber above the head part Q1, thechamber 2lb and the can chamber; the third pipe from the upper end leadsinto the cylinder 57 to supply pressure to the upper side of the piston56 and the fourth pipe leads to the same cylinder to supply pressure tothe lower side of said piston. These several pipes are also used toexhaust the pressure from the chambers which they severally supply orthe parts they operate. These pipes are shown as formed of two or moresections for convenience in directing them to, or for connecting themwith or disconnecting them from the parts described, suitable unions,elbows or couplings being used as the conditions may render expedient.At 51a is a cock for regulating the quantity or pressure of the treatingsteam.. Such a cock can be employed in any or all of the pipes ifdesired.

The Valve member 81 is of truste-conical form and is downwardly taperingto fit or seat within the casing 80; and it is open through its centerto receive a spool-like member 82 having an axial thread to receive thethreaded end oit a vertical rod 83. The spool-like member 82 isconstructed at both its ends to engage the valve member and the rod 83extends through a cross member of the base and is held longitudinallyimmovable by a collar and set screw at 83L at the lower side of saidcross member so that if the rod be turned the valve member is raised orlowered to secure a satisfactoryT slipping steam tight iit between theplug 81 and its seat in the casing 80. The lower end of the rod 83 isfurnished with a miter gear 84 engaged by a corresponding gear 85 on theinner end of a suitably journaled horizontal shaft 86, the outer end ofwhich extends to a convenient point at the exterior of the machine whereit is provided with a hand wheel 87 for turning it. By turning the saidhand wheel 87.in the proper direction the plug can be raised or loweredand therefore moved toward or from its seat as may be wanted to improvethe it. member 81 is kept from turning by the engagement of a projection88a on a collar 88 The plug.

with a vertical groove 81a in the plug member, said collar being screwedat 89 to the central column.

The plug member 81 is provided with passages ported around its peripheryin zones corresponding to the port zones in the casing, and forconvenience in connecting the supply and exhaust pipes these passagesare made angular so that the supply connecting terminals, and exhaustpipe terminals also, if desired, maybe located in the upper or exposedendv of the plug.

90 are pipes leading from a header 9i to ports of steam passages in theupper end of the plug member, and 92 are pipes leading to the atmosphereor to a suitable point of exhaust. A few only of these pipes are shownbecausel to'multiply them would confuse the drawing at that point.

The number and arrangement of the steam passages and ports are subjectto some variations according to the number of treating units employed inthe machine and according to the intervals desired between applicationsof the pressures. From a comparison of the diagram shown in Fig. 6 withthe view shown in Fig. lit will be clear that the top row of ports asupplies or exhausts the chamber 44;v that the next row b supplies orexhausts the chamber 46a, chamber 2lb and the pipe to the can chamber,and that third row c supplies or exhausts the chamber at the upper sideof the piston 56 and the fourth row d supplies or exhausts the lowerside of said piston. Where it is desired that the pressure be continuousthrough a given port while the pressure through other ports isintermittent, as for example to hold the can support against thereceiver, the port should be horizontally elongated as shown at c and d,Fig. 6.

From the construction shown it is obvious atmosphere as can also `t-hecorresponding port that holds up the can support during the treatingoperation.

The operation is this: Motion .is imparted to the drum 72, say fro-mright to left, th'us carrying the sleeve 80 around the centralstationary valve. When passing the region of the vertical line f-f Fig.6 the steam chambers of the receiver and below the piston of the cansupport are exhausted and the can support'is in depressed or loweredposition. At this time a can or vessel containing thel material to be,treated -is placed on the can support. Continued revolution causes theadmission of pressure to raise the can into the receiver and closes thelatter with the treating nozzle penetrating the material in the vessel.The elevation of the vessel also shoves up the part 25 and closes theperforations 25". Further suiiicient rotation admits steam to thechambers 44, 46, 2lb and around the exterior of the vessel in thereceiver. The steam from the chamber 2lb passes through the passage 21d,tube 23 and the distributing ducts described thereby causing the steamto penetrate all parts of the material in the vessel and particularlythe corners of the Vessel where germs are especially diiiicult to reach.The steam rises from the can through the port 21f and passes through theport 41a into the chamber 21b of the next receiver. At or before thearrival of the treating unit to the line o-f the last pair of ports thesteam or pressure is exhausted from the chambers 44, 46, 2lb and aroundthe can and from below the piston 56 and pressure admitted tothecylinder above said piston 56. These operations cause the vessel todescend and upon such descent the telescoping ring 25 follows the vesseldown thereby opening to the atmosphere through the ports 25a theinterior of the treating head and above the vessel relieving anyremaining pressure and permitting the contents to settle quietly in thevessel. The check valve 53 is made of sufficient Weight to open bygravity even. under light pressure and it aids in releasing the pressurearound the vessel before it is fu'lly exposed to the atmosphere upon thedepression of the can support. i

The machine can be equipped with any suitable means for automaticallyplacing the lilled cans, one by one, onto `the can support, andlikewiseremoving the treated can from the supports as they arrive at the properpredetermined points in `the cycle. Such means, however, do notconstitute a feature of the present invention and therefore need not beparticularly set forth, but generally they can include a traveling belt95 to convey the can to the point of introduction into'the machine andfrom the point of removal from the machine, and rotating Wheels 96 and97 coperating with a stationary guiding member 98 for guiding the cansfrom the belt onto the supports in the machine and for guiding the cansfrom such supports onto the belt.

As herein generally indicated I prefer to use steam under pressure asthe treating,` agent, but other sterilizing agents under pressure mightbe used. The pressure of the treating steam and the number of in-.jections will be varied according to the texture of the materialtreated. But where a cycle of receivers is employed each receiving aplurality of inJections under uniform pressure as herein described, thetemperature of the receiver gradually increases as it progresses aroundthe circle. For an average treatment the pressure in the first receiverafter the first injection may be quite small owing to condensation andfrom this:

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the pressure would gradually increase, to say, fifty pounds or more atthe seventh or eighth injection.

After treatment in the machine the cans are, of course, tightly closedwhile hot so as to exclude contamination by means external to the can.

The forms of the parts can be varied without departing from the gist of'the in vention.

What I claim is:

l. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver for a vesselcontaining the material to be treated, and a nozzle within the receiverf'or supplying the sterilizing agent to the vessel provided with an exitconstructed to direct the treating agent toward the lower corners of thevessel.

2. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver for a vesselcontaining the material to be treated, and a nozzle within the receiverfor supplying the sterilizing agent to the vessel provided with an exitconstructed to direct the treating agent in a cone-shaped body towardthe lower corners of the vessel.

3. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver' for avessel containing the material to be treated, and a nozzle within thereceiver for supplying the sterilizing agent to the vessel provided withan exit constructed to direct the agent toward the lower corners of thevessel and also with an exit directing the treating agent toward themiddle of the bottom of the vessel.

4. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver for a Vesselcontaining the materials to be treated, and a nozzle within the receiverfor supplying the sterilizing agent to the vessel provided with meansfor delivering the treating agent toward the upper corners of thevessel.

In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver f'or avessel containing the material to be treated, and a nozzle within thereceiver for supplying the sterilizing agent to the vessel provided withmeans for delivering the treating agent toward the upper corners of thevessel, said delivering means having its exits extended toward saidcorners.

G. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing ren ceiver for avessel for containing the material to be treated, and a nozzle withinthe receiver f'or supplying the sterilizing agent to the vessel, saidnozzle provided with an exit constructed to direct the treating agenttoward the lower corners of the vessel and with means for delivering thetreating agent toward the upper corners of the vessel.

7. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver for a vesselfor containing the materialto be treated, and a nozzle within thereceiver for supplying the sterilizing agent to the vessel, said nozzleprovided with a strainer having a conical side.

8. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver for a vesselfor containing the material to be treated, and a nozzle within thereceiver for supplying the sterilizing agent to the vessel, said nozzleprovided with a strainer having conical upper and lower sides.

9. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver f'or avessel for containing the material to be treated, and a nozzle withinthe receiver for supplying the sterilizing agent to the vessel, saidnozzle provided with a strainer body, said body also provided withpassages for conducting the treating agent into the material to besterilized.

l0. In a machine for sterilizing organic material with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing ree ceiver for avessel for containing the material to be treated, a treating head insaid receiver, and a telescoping section in connection with saidtreating head adapted to engage the vessel.

11. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver f'or avessel for containing the material to be treated, a treating head insaid receiver and a telescoping section in connection with said treatinghead adapted to enL gage the vessel, said telescoping section providedwith a passage in its wall adapted to be opened when the telescopingsection is extended with reference to the treating head.

12. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver for a vesselfor containing the material to be treated, a treating head in saidreceiver and a telescoping section in connection with said treating headadapted to engage the vessel, said telescoping section pro vided withmeans for centering the vessel with reference to the treating head.

13. In a machine for lsterilizing organic materials with a fluidtreating agent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver fora vessel for containing the material to be treated, a treating head insaid receiver, ducts connected with said receiver at the region of thevessel, said ducts provided one with a check valve to prevent dischargeof pressure from the said region and the other with a check valve topermit such discharge and means for applying yielding pressure to saidlast named valve to hold the same closed.

14. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver for a vesselfor containing the material to be treated, a treating head in saidreceiver, a telescoping section connected with said head provided with avent adapted to be exposed when the section is extended, fluidconductors connected with Said receiver at the region of the vessel,said conductors l provided one with a check valve to prevent dischargeof pressure from said region and the other with a check valve to permitsuch discharge and means for applying pressure to said last named valveto vhold the same yieldingly closed.

15. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver for a vesselfor containing the material to be treated, a treating head in saidvessel, said receiver provided with a duct through which fluid pressureisv applied t0 said head, said duct also provided with a check valveopening away from the treating head and having a relatively smallexhausting opening.

16. In a machine for sterilizing' organic materials with a fluidtreating agent under pressure, in combination, lan inclosing receiverfor a vessel containing the material to be treated, a treating head insaid` receiver provided with an exhaust passage therefrom, a valve insaid passage, an expanded chamber beyond saldvalve, and means foryieldingly holding said valve in position to close said exhaust passage.

17. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, an inclosing receiver for a vesselcontaining the material to be treated, a treating head in said receiverprovided with an exhaust passage therefrom, a valve in Said passage, anexpanded chamber beyond saidvalve, an `expanded piston-like member insaid chamber and by which said valve is actuated, and means foradmitting pressure to said chamber to hold said valve on its seat.

18. In a machine for sterilizingorganic materials with a fluid treatingagent under` 19. In a machine for sterilizing organicV materials with afluid treating agent under pressure, 1n comblnation, a plurality ofinclosing rece1vers for vessels containing the material to be treated,means for admitting a treating agent to each of said receivers, andmeans for conducting the treating agent directly from one receiver toanother.

20. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure, in combination, a series of inclosing receiversfor vessels containing material to be treated, means for admitting atreating agent to one of the receivers, and means for permitting saidagent to be directly conducted successively to the others of the series.

21. In a machine for sterilizing organic materials with a fluidtreatingagent under pressure, in combination, a series of inclosingreceivers for vessels containing material to be treated, means foradmitting a treating agent to each of said receivers in succession, andmeans for permitting the treating agent admitted in each receiver to bedirectly conducted to the one standing next to it at the correspondingside.

22. In a machine for sterilizingorganic materials with a fluid treatingagent under pressure', in combination, a series of inclosing receiversfor vessels containing material to be treated, means for admitting aplurality of injections of a treating agent to each of said receivers insuccession and means for permitting the treating agent admitted to eachreceiver to be conducted directly to the one standing next to it at thecorresponding side.

23. In a machine tfor sterilizing organic material with steam underpressure, in combination, a series of inclosing receivers for vesselsfor containingwmaterial to be treated, a treating head in each of saidreceivers, means for supplying fresh steam to Said treating head,conductors communicatingly connecting adjacent receivers, valves in saidconductors whereby the treating steam is conducted from o ne treatinghead to another through the series of receivers in one direction but notin the reverse direction, and means whereby fresh steam is appliedintermittently to said treating heads.v

WILLIAM B. FENN.

Witnesses:

J. M. BEATTY, M. Louisa MAJEWSKI.

